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John Spinelli

Department Head and Distinguished Scientist

 John Spinelli 5

E-mail: jspinelli@bccrc.ca
Telephone: 604-675-8055
Fax: 604-675-8180
675 W 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3    

 

Research Roles:

  • Department Head and Distinguished Scientist, Cancer Control Research, BCCRC
  • Professor,  School of Population and Public Health,  UBC
  • Adjunct Professor,  Statistics & Actuarial Science,  SFU

 

Education:

  • PhD (Statistics), Simon Fraser University, 1994

  • MSc (Statistics), Simon Fraser University, 1981
  • BSc (Math/Psychology), Simon Fraser University, 1979

 

Research Interests:
  • Gene-environment interactions in cancer (GENIC)
  • Biostatistical and epidemiologic methods
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • Genetics susceptibility and cancer
  • Cancer and the environment, particularly pesticides

  • Etiology of lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia

  • Etiology of breast cancer

  • Goodness-of-fit techniques

 

I conduct and collaborate on a large number of epidemiological, statistical and clinical research projects.

I am conducting a case-control study of genetic and environmental risk factors for breast cancer (Molecular Epidemiology of Breast Cancer). Of particular interest is the risk for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and light at night. This study is being conducted in Ontario and British Columbia. Data collection started in 2006 and will be completed in 2010.

Data collection has begun on a case-control study of genetic and environmental risk factors for multiple myeloma and MGUS (Molecular Epidemiology of Multiple Myeloma and MGUS). This study will focus on the role of organochlorines, sunlight and insulin-like growth factors. Genetic susceptibility and gene-environment interactions will be examined. Data collection will be completed in 2013.

I have completed a case-control study of genetic and environmental risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Risk Factors for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). Of particular interest is the risk for exposure to organochlorines and gene-environment interactions. Data analysis is continuing.

These last two projects are also part of the International Lymphoma Epidemiology and International Multiple Myeloma Consortia. These consortia are international collaboration of groups from North America, Europe and Australia examining risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
My main statistical research areas are in the development of tests of fit for discrete distributions and for models used in statistical analysis (Goodness-of-Fit), and the development and application of methodology for genetic risk estimation in case-control studies (Genetic risk estimation).

 
Our  BC Generations Project www.bcgenerationsproject.ca is assembling a cohort of 40,000 British Columbia residents  between the ages of 35 and 69, who complete an etiologic questionnaire and contribute blood and urine specimens for storage,  and will be followed over the next 25 years to investigate gene - environment interaction in the causation of cancer and other chronic disease. Together with investigators in 4 other provinces also recruiting participants we expect to be able to build a research platform comprised of data and specimens from 300,000 Canadian called the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow. The platform will allow large-scale studies of the causes of many chronic diseases, and facilitate identification of new early disease detection biomarkers, and markers of carcinogenic exposure by Canadian and international scientists for many years in the future.

 

Recently Completed Studies:

  • Evaluation of selection bias in studies of childhood leukemia and EMF
  • Aluminum workers cohort
  • Registered nurses cohort